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BASF TPU brings rebound to bike saddles

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Koblenz, Germany — Expanded TPU is the key pressure transfer and damping medium in a newly designed bicycle seat from Ergon.

The ST Core Ultra. Credit: BASF

The Ergon ST Core Ultra bicycle saddle features a layer of BASF’s Infinergy expanded TPU. This sits above two lower layers of construction, which can move independently of each other and the upper material layer, which is in contact with the rider.

This configuration overcomes a problem with traditional four layer design, where the lowest, seat shell, level of construction, takes the weight of the rider and supports the seat construction. This leads to design compromises, BASF said.

Splitting load transfer to the bike frame from seat shape with a damping layer of the expanded TPU means it is possible to improve: pressure distribution across the sit bones; vibration damping and back protection; while improving pedaling efficiency, BASF said.

BASF said that this design allows bicycle saddles to follow natural pedaling movements in all directions for the first time.

About Simon Robinson

Simon is a journalist and media innovator of 30 years experience in the fields of polymers and chemicals across a range of media. Simon is Editor of Urethanes Technology International and its website utech-polyurethane.com.